ÿþ<html> <head> <title>StoryTellers Monthly Newsletter&mdash;December 08</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> </head> <body bgcolor="#E0E9E4" leftmargin="0" topmargin="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-image: url(../common/NLBG.jpg); background-repeat: repeat-y;"> <tr> <td> <TABLE WIDTH=700 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0> <TR> <TD COLSPAN=4> <IMG SRC="images/dec_01.gif" WIDTH=700 HEIGHT=45 ALT="" BORDER="0"></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD COLSPAN=2 ROWSPAN=8> <IMG SRC="images/dec_02.gif" WIDTH=352 HEIGHT=232 ALT="" BORDER="0"></TD> <TD> <a href="http://www.storytellersclub.com" target="_blank"><IMG SRC="images/dec_03.gif" WIDTH=284 HEIGHT=52 ALT="" BORDER="0"></a></TD> <TD ROWSPAN=10> <IMG SRC="images/dec_04.gif" WIDTH=64 HEIGHT=329 ALT="" BORDER="0"></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <IMG SRC="images/dec_05.gif" WIDTH=284 HEIGHT=61 ALT="" BORDER="0"></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <a href="#1"><IMG SRC="images/dec_06.gif" WIDTH=284 HEIGHT=19 ALT="" BORDER="0"></a></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <a href="#2"><IMG SRC="images/dec_07.gif" WIDTH=284 HEIGHT=20 ALT="" BORDER="0"></a></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <a href="#3"><IMG SRC="images/dec_08.gif" WIDTH=284 HEIGHT=20 ALT="" BORDER="0"></a></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <a href="#4"><IMG SRC="images/dec_09.gif" WIDTH=284 HEIGHT=20 ALT="" BORDER="0"></a></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <a href="#5"><IMG SRC="images/dec_10.gif" WIDTH=284 HEIGHT=21 ALT="" BORDER="0"></a></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <a href="#6"><IMG SRC="images/dec_11.gif" WIDTH=284 HEIGHT=19 ALT="" BORDER="0"></a></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD ROWSPAN=2> <IMG SRC="images/dec_12.gif" WIDTH=42 HEIGHT=97 ALT="" BORDER="0"></TD> <TD ROWSPAN=2> <IMG SRC="images/dec_13.gif" WIDTH=310 HEIGHT=97 ALT="" BORDER="0"></TD> <TD> <a href="#7"><IMG SRC="images/dec_14.gif" WIDTH=284 HEIGHT=22 ALT="" BORDER="0"></a></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <IMG SRC="images/dec_15.gif" WIDTH=284 HEIGHT=75 ALT="" BORDER="0"></TD> </TR> </TABLE> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <table width="590px"> <tr> <td valign="top"> <a name="1" /> <img src="../common/n1.gif" width="29" height="27" /> </td> <td style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> <b>Hello from StoryTellers Club:</b><br /> <br /> <p>The Holidays are now in full swing and we hope you re enjoying all that this wonderful season brings. This is such a fun time of year with all of the beautiful decorations, music, get-togethers, and many opportunities to spend time with those we love. Whether it s a celebration of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Eid Al-Fitr, we can all appreciate the feeling that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. There will also be plenty of photo ops you won t want to miss out on as you re going through the holidays, so don t forget to charge up those batteries, take along the camera and snap plenty of pictures. We ll send you some great products to make all those photos look their best and give you the chance to preserve those wonderful memories you re making.</p> <p>Don t forget it s also a perfect time to remember those who are less fortunate. There s always food drives, blood drives, toy drives, and other ample opportunities to help those who are in need, so don t forget to make that part of your holiday traditions. It s sure to make the season more meaningful, and is a wonderful chance to set an example for the young ones!</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> &nbsp; </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <a name="2" /> <img src="../common/n2.gif" width="29" height="27" /> </td> <td style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> <b>StoryTellers News:</b><br /> <img src="images/preview.gif" ALT="" BORDER="0" border="" style="float: right;" width="100" height="100"/> <p>We have some exciting news for all our members! We have added a new feature to StoryTellersClub.com so you can preview the next month s pack. The new pack will be available to view the last week of each month. After viewing the next month s pack, if you would like to receive it simply do nothing. If you d like to skip it, you can opt out of receiving that pack by either contacting customer service or by using your online account. This doesn t cancel your account; it just skips the next month s pack. It essentially puts your account on hold until the following month. This is a great way to preview the pack and save on return shipping costs if the products for that month aren t something you would use.</p> <p>Keep in mind; you will need to opt out by the last day of the month. Because we are now offering this Preview Before You Buy feature, if you receive your pack and decide to return it for a refund or exchange you are responsible for all return shipping costs. This also applies to members who mark Return to Sender on their pack and return it to us. </p> <p>We believe with this new feature we can save both you and StoryTellers Club substantial costs in shipping and packaging, and allow you to receive only the packs you want. </p> <p>The last seven days of the month you will see a Preview Next Months Pack link on StoryTellers homepage and in your personal account. If you would like to opt out of receiving that month s pack, simply follow the directions on the preview page. As always, our great Customer Service department is ready and willing to help with any questions you may have.</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table width="590px"> <tr> <td> &nbsp; </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <a name="3" /> <img src="../common/n3.gif" width="29" height="27" /> </td> <td style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> <b>Monthly Tip of the Trade:</b><br /> <p>Have you ever cut your picture into pieces to make it look tiled? <img src="images/tile-layout.jpg" ALT="" BORDER="0" border="" style="float: left; margin-right: 20px;" width="250" height="244" /> It s not for every page, but given the right photo, it can create a beautiful look. The look is accomplished by cutting the photo into equal-sized pieces and laid so there is a very small space between each piece, leaving a space for the mat underneath to show through&mdash;thus creating a tile look. A similar look can be done using several different pictures that are small enough to create a tiled collage. This can be done with different sized pictures, leaving just a small space between each one. The finished product ends up looking really nice, and can be a great way to group pictures as well as add interest to your page.</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table width="590px"> <tr> <td> &nbsp; </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <a name="4" /> <img src="../common/n4.gif" width="29" height="27" /> </td> <td style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> <b>Creative Expressions Workshop:</b><br /> <img src="images/muffin-tin.jpg" ALT="" BORDER="0" border="" style="float: right; padding-bottom: 8px; margin-bottom: 8px;" width="160" height="289"/> <p>We generally spotlight the previous month s projects in the newsletters, but this month we just have to show you this darling December project so you have time to make it. Everyone who comes into the office and sees it, leave saying they just "have to make it." It s a Christmas countdown calendar made with a muffin tin. The project shown is a 24 day countdown but a 12 day countdown would be just as cute and even faster to make&mdash;love that! <img src="images/nov-project.jpg" ALT="" BORDER="0" border="" style="float: left; padding-right: 30px; margin-right: 30px;" width="300" height="173" /> <a href="http://www.storytellersclub.com/NewsLetter/Tutorials/" target="_blank">Check it out</a> soon so you ll have time to make yours! </p><p>SheriDawn has created some beautiful projects with the November pack. Three projects are sure to give you a way to get your creative juices flowing. First off, there s a darling photo garland that would brighten any space, and also be a great way to get photos of loved ones into your workspace. She s also come up with a great altered clock that is a fun way to show off a favorite photo and it would make a fabulous gift. As an added bonus, there s a fun simple project using chunky clothespins to display photos. All these projects have photos and step by step instructions and are a fun way to use your StoryTellers monthly pack for fun projects. Be sure to <a href="http://www.storytellersclub.com/NewsLetter/Tutorials/" target="_blank">check out the website</a> and get some great projects made! </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> &nbsp; </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <a name="5" /> <img src="../common/n5.gif" width="29" height="27" /> </td> <td style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> <b>A Christmas Gift For You:</b><br /> <img src="images/certificate.gif" alt="" border="" style="float: right; padding: 0 0 30px 20px; margin: 0 0 30px 20px;" width="250" height="157" /> <p>We really appreciate our members and to show our thanks and gratitude during this special time of year, we would like to send you a little Holiday Cheer. Each member has a $10 Gift Certificate redeemable for purchases of $20 or more at the <a href="http://store.storytellersclub.com/" target="_blank">StoryTellers online store</a>. This Gift Certificate can be used in combination with any other offer or discount and is automatically available at our online checkout. You do not need a certificate number. When you get to the store, just log in and the discount will automatically be added to your order on the checkout page. Thanks everyone!</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> &nbsp; </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <a name="6" /> <img height="27" src="../common/n6.gif" width="29" /> </td> <td style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> <b>Discussion Board News:</b><br /> <img src="images/shuri.jpg" alt="" border="" style="float: left; padding: 0 20px 0 0; margin: 0 20px 0 0;" width="200" height="211" /> <p>Congratulations to Shuri (discussion board name: ShuriScraps), December s Featured Member. Shuri is one of StoryTellers Design Team members so many of you may already know Shuri from her work on the Discussion Board and Layout Gallery. Visit her <a href="http://www.storytellersclub.com/Community/FMhome.asp" target="_blank">featured member page</a> in the community section of our website to get to know Shuri a bit better. She s got some great layouts and scrap tips you won t want to miss out on.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> &nbsp; </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <a name="7"></a> <img height="27" src="../common/n7.gif" width="29" /> </td> <td style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> <b>Christmas Trivia </b><br />(taken from the site http://www.corsinet.com/braincandy/xmastrivia.html)<br /> <p>Christmas trees are known to have been popular in Germany as far back as the sixteenth century. In England, they became popular after Queen Victoria's husband Albert, who came from Germany, made a tree part of the celebrations at Windsor Castle. In the United States, the earliest known mention of a Christmas tree is in the diary of a German who settled in Pennsylvania.</p> <p>During the ancient 12-day Christmas celebration, the log burned was called the "Yule log." Sometimes a piece of the Yule log would be kept to kindle the fire the following winter, to ensure that the good luck carried on from year to year. The Yule log custom was handed down from the Druids.</p> <p>Hallmark introduced its first Christmas cards in 1915, five years after the founding of the company.</p> <p>In 1647, the English parliament passed a law that made Christmas illegal. Festivities were banned by Puritan leader, Oliver Cromwell, who considered feasting and revelry, on what was supposed to be a holy day, to be immoral. The ban was lifted only when the Puritans lost power in 1660.</p> <p>Long before it was used as a "kiss encourager" during the Christmas season, mistletoe had long been considered to have magic powers by Celtic and Teutonic peoples. It was said to have the ability to heal wounds and increase fertility. Celts hung mistletoe in their homes in order to bring themselves good luck and ward off evil spirits. </p> <p>The actual gift givers are different in various countries: <br /> England: Father Christmas<br /> France: Pere Noel (Father Christmas)<br /> Germany: Christkind (angelic messenger from Jesus) She is a beautiful fair haired girl with a shining crown of candles.<br /> Holland: St Nicholas.<br /> Italy: La Befana (a kindly old witch)<br /> Spain and South America: The Three Kings<br /> Russia: In some parts&mdash;Babouschka (a grandmotherly figure) in other parts it is Grandfather Frost.<br /> Scandinavia: a variety of Christmas gnomes. One is called Julenisse. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> &nbsp; </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.storytellersclub.com/contact.asp">Contact Us</a></b><br /> <br /> For any questions, comments or concerns regarding the monthly Newsletters, Creative Expressions Workshop, or any related topics, please send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:Suggestions@StoryTellersClub.com"> Suggestions@StoryTellersClub.com</a>. We value your opinions and ideas; don't hesitate to let us know what you are thinking. </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <img src="../common/NLBtm.jpg" width="700" height="96" /></td> </tr> </table> </body> </html>